Meet Gabriela Chacon Bocanegra | Home based baker and Jersey Mike’s Franchise owner/operator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gabriela Chacon Bocanegra and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gabriela, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I have always loved baking. I remember as a young girl I would bake all the recipes from the Good House Keeping Christmas edition. I even remember one year making so many I sold a cookie assortment to my family friends. Fast forward to having my first kid, and I realized how much I enjoyed it. I started going on YouTube and learning how to decorate sugar cookies and cakes. I bough one of Martha Stewart’s cupcake books for inspiration and recipes. Friends started asking where I got the desserts from and were surprised that I was making them myself. They started encouraging me to start selling them. That is when I started doing research on what I would need to have my home based bakery. I have since them grown my business by going to local markets and events, partnering with local organizations, and growing my social media presence. Having the freedom to choose how much I can produce is definitely one of the biggest reasons why I chose to stay as a home baker. having two kids and a franchise business can be challenging at times, but making cookies and cakes is my escape and a way for me to continue nurturing my creative side.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I was born and raised in Guatemala. I came to the US with a golf scholarship. I knew I had to work hard to achieve my goals from a very young age. I knew that I would need to get good grades and keep my golf game competitive to earn scholarships that would allow me to come over. I chose to go to Northwood University, a small business school to earn my degree in business management with a major in advertising and marketing. I graduated college in 2009, right after the crash. Marketing departments were not hiring at the moment. That is when I decided to take the Manager position at the Jersey Mike’s I had been working part time at. I was unsure of the opportunities that this job could bring, but I was sure that if I did my best, the rewards would come. Working there gave me the freedom to start my bakery business. I learned so much about running a business and dealing with customer service. After ten years running the store I was given the opportunity to own my own franchise. It has been challenging having two businesses that require so much of my time, but it is so rewarding to see customers happy with the final product. I have learned that people can be a bit entitled and demanding, but once you take the time to understand where they are coming from and communicating their needs, working with people from all walks of life is so rewarding. I pride my self in giving people an experience that makes the process easy and provides a great product. I truly believe that being honest and upfront is the best policy and people appreciate it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would start our Friday evening at Grand View Warehouse District in West Palm Beach from some great local eats and maybe a live band. Saturday would definitely be a beach day. Probably by Juno Beach to make a pit stop at Loggerhead Marine Center. For diner would be a walk down Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach. Always a fun atmosphere. Sunday would be brunch say at the Breakers and a walk down Worth Avenue.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have been very lucky to have supportive friends and family. My friend Maria Pumarejo has been my biggest cheerleader when it comes to my cookie business. She gave me confidence and encouragement to get the ball rolling and throughout my journey she has always been a big fan.

Website: http://sweet-hearts-bakery.square.site/

Instagram: @sweetheartsbakerywpb

Facebook: @sweetheartsbakerywpb